Contact-Résine 1/32
Polikarpov I-16 Cockpit Set

I was overjoyed when Special Hobby and Azur released the 1/32 Polikarpov I-16 'Rata' kits in several different types. These kits are the best (same molds) I-16 produced in any scale. Even so, the cockpits are a bit barren. I know, the real aircraft were barren inside as well, but I'm talking about structural details on the insides of the fuselage, an instrument panel that wasn't quite right, and a full floor in the cockpit. On the bright side, the shoulder-level entry doors are molded closed so you couldn't see much inside anyway without your IPMS Judge's flashlight, mirror, and fiberoptic borescope.

Contact-Résine to the rescue. They've produced an elegantly simple enhancement to the kit cockpit. The detail set includes nine resin parts which provide sidewall interior details, rear bulkhead with headrest, new pilot's seat with belts and harnesses, new instrument panel backplate, new control stick, and new rudder pedals.

The photo-etch provides a new instrument panel face with decal instrument faces, shoulder-level entry doors, rudder toe straps, and various control levers for the interior.

When you look down into the cockpit with this set, you can see past the heel troughs into the lower area of the fuselage interior, just like the real aircraft.

If you couple this set with CK32006 and CK32007, you've given the Azur/Special Hobby kit quite the improvement!

This is an excellent addition to either 1/32 I-16 kit and will provide some stunning detail for the cockpit of your next masterpiece. This set is definitely recommended!

You can purchase this set online from Design & Marketing International.

My sincere thanks to Design & Marketing International for this review sample!